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Watch: Did McDaniels, Booker exchange finger gun taunts before ejection?

Before McDaniels poked Booker in the head, the two exchanged taunts on back-to-back possessions.

Joe Nelson

Jan 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 29, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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What prompted the late-game beef between Jaden McDaniels and Devin Booker?

While it's not entirely clear, we do know that McDaniels was ejected in the final moments of Minnesota's 121-113 win after he appeared to poke, or come close to poking, Booker on the left side of his head.

But after further review, McDaniels and Booker exchanged hand gestures on back-to-back possesions just moments before the two got heated and McDaniels was tossed.

The first hand gesture, which was clearly a point and could be perceived by some as a finger gun action, came from McDaniels after Mike Conley hit a three-pointer to give Minnesota a 117-103 lead with 1:49 left in the game.

On the ensuing Suns possession, Booker, after driving the lane and dishing to Kevin Durant for a corner three to cut Minnesota's lead to 11 points with 1:39 left in the game, appeared to do a finger gun gesture right back at McDaniels.

Both taunts are included in the X posts below.

If the NBA enforced taunting like the NFL, both McDaniels and Booker would've been called for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and likely been fined for violent gestures.

Of course, no one knows for sure if the two stars were flashing finger guns or simply pointing at each other with three fingers to represent their team's made three-pointers. Either way, it was about minute of game clock later when McDaniels appeared to poke Booker in the side of his head, prompting an ejection.

The Wolves have won six consecutive games against Phoenix and the next matchup — March 2 in Phoenix — will be must-see TV.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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